Page 9 of Refuge for Ailsa

“Uh, yeah. Met through something for work,” Tavish answered, still staring. He couldn’t believe it. Ailsa was Donovan’s sister? What were the chances?

“Work? You don’t work together,” Donovan pointed out.

“Investigation,” Ailsa said in explanation. “You know, the thing with the boat on the Fourth of July?”

“Oh, yeah. You were there, Tav?” Maureen asked, her eyes wide.

“Yeah. First LEO on the scene. What a mess.”

“Yes, and he came by later to ask me some questions. I saw the whole thing,” Ailsa added.

Maureen made a face. “Ugh! That’s pretty awful.”

Ailsa nodded. “Awful and weird. Very weird.”

“So I heard. So, um, Pete and Bonnie, this is my sister, Ailsa,” Donovan said in introduction to Tavish’s parents as they stepped into the living room.

Bonnie was a hugger, and there was no way around it. “We’re so glad you’re here, honey. It’s good to meet you.”

“Good to meet all of you too. Donovan’s been so excited for all of us to get together.”

“Let’s all go sit down, shall we?” Bonnie asked and pointed around the room. In seconds, she and Pete were in their recliners, Maureen and Donovan were on the loveseat, and Tavish took one end of the sofa, while Ailsa took the other.

Even though he didn’t want to stare, he kept finding his eyes drawn to Ailsa. He studied her profile as they all laughed and talked, and she really was stunning. That beautiful face was even more beautiful when she smiled, and he loved the lilt in her voice. It was downright musical, almost like angels singing.Good lord, get a grip!he heard a voice in his head scold, but it was undeniable. If ever he’d met any woman he’d want to get to know better, it would be Ailsa.

Conversation was going on all around them, and then something caught his attention. “What? Did you say something?”

Bonnie huffed at him. “I asked you if you had any time off coming anytime soon. Your daddy needs help with some things around here, like putting up some siding on the garage, and it would be nice if you could help him.”

“I wouldn’t mind helping!” Donovan barked out before Tavish had a chance to answer, but then his face reddened and he turned to Maureen with a hang-dog expression. “Too eager?”

“No, babe. I think it’s sweet.” She gave him a little kiss on the lips and he grinned.

“I’ll take you up on that, Donovan,” Pete added. “It’ll be good to have some help.”

“I’ve got a week coming up next month. Hadn’t made any plans. Be glad to help out,” Tavish answered. Somehow they’d all completely forgotten he’d been asked first. “I mean, if it can wait that long.”

“Oh, I can get started on it with Donovan and if there’s anything else needed by the time you have a chance, I reckon you can pitch in too.”

Well, I’d never thought of it as a privilege to help my dad put up siding, but I reckon it is now, Tavish groused internally. He wasn’t going to jockey for his dad’s approval or attention. If Donovan wanted to spend his time helping Pete, that was perfectly fine. The fixer-upper Tavish had bought needed a lot of work, and nobody had volunteered to helphimwith anything.

Almost like she’d read his mind, his mother blurted out, “What about that heap of lumber you bought, son? Is it any closer to being anything more than just a drafty shack?”

“Mom…” Maureen started.

“What? I have no idea why he bought that pile of crap!”

“It has good bones!” Tavish snapped back.

“It’s a heap of junk,” Pete agreed.

“Dad! God, Tav, I’m so sorry,” Maureen said, her voice laced with pity.

“Not your fault. Apparently it’s all mine,” Tavish answered, trying not to sound too bitter and failing miserably.

“I don’t know what your mother is talking about. It’s perfect for you and that horrible mutt you’ve got,” Pete added.

That infuriated Tavish. How dare his dad talk about Starlight like that! “Horrible mutt? That purebred dog cost me a thousand dollars, and she’s easily the best dog I’ve ever known.”

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